3.5 floppy drive will not read (or write) disks.

"Floppy disk drive not accessable"
So the error message said. It has been suggested that the (3.5 inch) drive needs cleaning. A cleaning kit costs>$20. A new drive less. Suggestions welcomed on how to clean it. (Put alcohol on an old floppy disk?)

In general the floppy cleaning kits don't work well. The problem is usually dirt/dust clogging up the mechanism in the floppy. The cleaning disk can only clean the head. The dirt in the "works" remains.

Try borrowing a drive to see if it works. It might be a bad/loose cable.
What kind of kit cost 20.00 dollars? The ones I have look like a floppydisk with a white thing in it that you put cleaning solution on ( 99% alcohol works well ) and cost just a few dollars. Don't put it on a floppy, it's not good. : (

In general the floppy cleaning kits don't work well. The problem is usually dirt/dust clogging up the mechanism in the floppy. The cleaning disk can only clean the head. The dirt in the "works" remains.

My advice is to replace the drive. You're right, new floppy drives are LESS than the cost of a so-called cleaning kit. Yes, it's a ripoff but I guess people are willing to pay MORE to clean an old drive than to buy a new one... Go figure...

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